Project 543 tells the story of unique spots across North Carolina we hope will become some of your favorite places. Why 543? Because that’s the number of miles from Manteo, on the coast, to Murphy, in the mountains, and is traditionally considered to be the width of our state. The entries in this project are in no particular order, and we’ll add to them each week. Check in often to find inspiration for your next trip, or start planning today at VisitNC.com.

What is Project 543?

Project 543 tells the story of unique spots across North Carolina we hope will become some of your favorite places. Why 543? Because that’s the number of miles from Manteo, on the coast, to Murphy, in the mountains, and is traditionally considered to be the width of our state. The entries in this project are in no particular order, and we’ll add to them each week. Check in often to find inspiration for your next trip, or start planning today at VisitNC.com.

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Watch a golf cart parade on an island that doesn’t allow cars

At Bald Head Island‘s Fourth of July celebration, you won’t find trucks pulling floats down main street. Instead, homeowners and visitors of the island display their patriotism in the annual Golf Cart Parade. Though it’s just 2 miles across the Cape Fear River from Southport, the only way onto the 12,000-acre island is by passenger ferry or private boat. That means you won’t find a car in sight, so golf cart is the preferred method of transportation. The creative, decked-out carts have been parading for more than a decade and raise money for the Old Baldy Foundation, supporting the 200-year-old lighthouse. Reserve your rental for an Independence Day vacation full of four-wheeled character and other coastal events.